Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A device, comprising: one or more processors to: receive, from a user device, a request associated with an application that provides a data service, where the request includes one or more service identifiers, and where an application management program hosted on the user device is configured to use an application programming interface to interact with the application to obtain the one or more service identifiers; determine whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free by providing, to a server, a validation request that includes the one or more service identifiers; receive a response from the server that is based on a validation procedure that indicates that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free; obtain an internet protocol (IP) address that is reserved for toll-free usage by the application, by using a service identifier of the one or more service identifiers to search a data structure associated with the data service; and provide the IP address to the user device, the user device to use the IP address for a data session of the application, where traffic flow associated with the user device is received by another server that uses the IP address to charge, for the data session, an account associated with a sponsor of toll-free usage of the data service, where using the IP address to charge for the data service comprises verifying that the IP address matches an IP address included in a set of IP addresses reserved for toll-free usage of the data service, where the user device uses one or more other IP addresses, different from the IP address, for data usage not associated with the application, and where, when the data session ends, the IP address is made available for assignment to another user device that is eligible to use the data service toll-free.
2. The device of claim 1 , where the user device uses the data service toll-free without the use of a proxy server.
A system and method for providing a data service to a user device without requiring a proxy server. The technology addresses the inefficiencies and security risks associated with traditional proxy-based data service architectures, which introduce latency, single points of failure, and potential privacy concerns. The invention enables direct communication between the user device and the data service provider, eliminating the need for an intermediary proxy server. This direct connection improves performance by reducing latency and enhances security by minimizing exposure to third-party intermediaries. The user device is configured to authenticate and establish a secure connection with the data service provider, ensuring toll-free access to the service without additional infrastructure. The system may include encryption protocols to protect data integrity and privacy during transmission. By removing the proxy server, the invention simplifies the architecture, reduces operational costs, and improves reliability. The solution is particularly useful in applications where low latency and high security are critical, such as real-time data processing, financial transactions, or sensitive communications. The user device may be any networked device, including smartphones, tablets, or IoT devices, capable of establishing a direct connection to the data service provider. The invention ensures seamless and efficient data service delivery while maintaining robust security measures.
3. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors of the user device cause the application management program to provide the request associated with the data service to the device.
A system for managing data services on a user device includes one or more processors configured to execute an application management program. The program monitors the device's applications to detect when a data service request is needed. When such a request is identified, the program provides the request to the device, enabling the device to process the request and access the required data service. The system ensures efficient handling of data service requests by applications, improving performance and resource utilization. The application management program may also track application behavior, optimize resource allocation, and prioritize requests based on predefined criteria. This approach enhances the device's ability to manage multiple applications simultaneously while maintaining responsiveness and minimizing delays in data service delivery. The system is particularly useful in environments where multiple applications compete for limited network or processing resources, ensuring seamless and efficient operation.
4. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, when determining whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free, are to: provide the validation request to the server to cause the server to use the one or more service identifiers to execute a validation procedure, where the one or more service identifiers include a service identifier and an encrypted service identifier, where the validation procedure includes: using encryption logic to encrypt the service identifier to create a second encrypted service identifier, and comparing the encrypted service identifier to the second encrypted service identifier, and where the user device is determined to be eligible to use the data service toll-free based on the encrypted service identifier and the second encrypted service identifier matching.
5. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, when obtaining the IP address that is reserved for the data service, are to: provide a request for the IP address to a data source, the request causing the data source to select the IP address from the data structure, the IP address being one of a set of IP addresses reserved for the data service, and receive the IP address from the data source.
6. The device of claim 1 , where the request associated with the data service is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request; and where the one or more processors, when providing the IP address to the user device, are to: provide the IP address to the user device as part of a DHCP offer; where the one or more processors are further to: receive, from the user device, a DHCP request for the IP address; and provide a DHCP acknowledgement to the user device indicating that the IP address has been assigned.
7. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, when providing the IP address to the user device, are to: provide the IP address to the user device to cause the user device to provide a packet associated with the traffic flow of the data session to the other server, the other server to analyze the packet to identify the IP address, the other server to use the IP address to search the data structure to determine that the IP address is associated with a service identifier of the one or more service identifiers of the data service, and the other server to charge the account associated with the sponsor based on determining that the IP address is associated with the service identifier of the data service.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive, from a user device, a request associated with an application that provides a data service, where the request includes one or more service identifiers, and where an application management program hosted on the user device is configured to obtain the one or more service identifiers from a plugin associated with the application; determine whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free by providing, to a server, a validation request that includes the one or more service identifiers; receive a response from the server that is based on a validation procedure that indicates that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free; obtain an internet protocol (IP) address that is reserved for toll-free usage by the application by using a service identifier of the one or more service identifiers to search a data structure associated with the data service; and provide the IP address to the user device, the user device to use the IP address for a data session of the application, where traffic flow associated with the user device is received by another server that uses the IP address to charge, for the data session, an account associated with a sponsor of toll-free usage of the data service, where using the IP address to charge for the data service comprises verifying that the IP address matches an IP address included in a set of IP addresses reserved for toll-free usage of the data service, where the user device uses one or more other IP addresses, different from the IP address, for data usage not associated with the application, and where, when the data session ends, the IP address is made available for assignment to another user device that is eligible to use the data service toll-free.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the user device uses the data service toll-free without the use of a proxy server.
A system and method for providing data services to user devices without requiring a proxy server. The technology addresses the inefficiencies and security risks associated with traditional proxy-based data service architectures, which introduce latency, single points of failure, and potential privacy concerns. The invention enables direct communication between user devices and data service providers, eliminating the need for intermediaries. The system includes a user device configured to establish a direct connection to a data service provider, bypassing any proxy server. The data service is provided toll-free, meaning the user device does not incur additional charges for accessing the service. The direct connection ensures faster data transmission, reduced latency, and improved security by minimizing exposure to third-party intermediaries. The system may also include authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of the user device before granting access to the data service. This approach enhances user experience by streamlining the data service delivery process while maintaining security and reliability. The invention is particularly useful in environments where low-latency, high-security data access is critical, such as enterprise networks, cloud computing, and IoT applications.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where one or more processors of the user device cause the plugin associated with the application that provides the data service to automatically provide the one or more service identifiers to the application management program when the application is launched, and where the one or more processors of the user device cause the application management program to provide the request associated with the data service to the one or more processors.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free, cause the one or more processors to: provide the validation request to the server to cause the server to use the one or more service identifiers to execute the validation procedure, where the one or more service identifiers include a service identifier and an encrypted service identifier, where the validation procedure includes using decryption logic to decrypt the encrypted service identifier, and where the decrypted service identifier and the service identifier are compared to determine that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free, cause the one or more processors to: determine a geographic location of the user device, compare the geographic location of the user device to a geographic area associated with a toll-free data condition, the toll-free data condition indicating that toll-free data is accessible within the geographic area, and determine that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free based on comparing the geographic location of the user device to the geographic area associated with the toll-free data condition.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to provide the IP address to the user device, cause the one or more processors to: provide the IP address to the user device to cause the user device to provide a packet associated with the traffic flow of the data session to the other server, the other server to analyze the packet to identify the IP address, the other server to use the IP address to search the data structure to determine that the IP address is associated with a service identifier of the one or more service identifiers of the data service, and the other server to charge the account associated with the sponsor based on determining that the IP address is associated with the service identifier of the data service.
This invention relates to a system for managing and billing data services in a network environment. The problem addressed is the need to accurately track and charge sponsors for data services used by user devices, particularly in scenarios where traffic flows through multiple servers. The solution involves a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, enable a server to provide an IP address to a user device. The user device then sends a packet associated with a data session traffic flow to another server. This other server analyzes the packet to identify the IP address, which is used to search a data structure. The data structure maps IP addresses to service identifiers, allowing the server to determine that the IP address is associated with a specific data service. Upon this determination, the server charges the account of the sponsor linked to that service identifier. This approach ensures accurate billing by leveraging IP address tracking and service identifier mapping, facilitating proper attribution of data usage to the correct sponsor. The system is designed to work across multiple servers, ensuring seamless and precise billing for data services.
14. A method, comprising: receiving, by a device and from a user device, a request associated with an application that provides a data service, where the request includes one or more service identifiers, and where an application management program hosted on the user device is configured to use an application programming interface to interact with the application to obtain the one or more service identifiers; determining, by the device, whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free by providing, to a server, a validation request that includes the one or more service identifiers; receiving, by the device, a response from the server that is based on a validation procedure that indicates that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free; obtaining, by the device, an internet protocol (IP) address that is reserved for toll-free usage by the application by using a service identifier of the one or more service identifiers to search a data structure associated with the data service; and providing, by the device, the IP address to the user device, the user device to use the IP address for a data session of the application, where traffic flow associated with the user device is received by another server that uses the IP address to charge, for the data session, an account associated with a sponsor of toll-free usage of the data service, where using the IP address to charge for the data service comprises verifying that the IP address matches an IP address included in a set of IP addresses reserved for toll-free usage of the data service, where the user device uses one or more other IP addresses, different from the IP address, for data usage not associated with the application, and where, when the data session ends, the IP address is made available for assignment to another user device that is eligible to use the data service toll-free.
15. The method of claim 14 , where the user device uses the data service toll-free without the use of a proxy server.
A method for enabling a user device to access a data service toll-free without requiring a proxy server. The user device directly connects to the data service provider's network, bypassing intermediary proxy servers that typically incur additional costs or latency. This approach reduces overhead and improves efficiency by eliminating the need for proxy-based routing, which can introduce delays and additional fees. The method ensures seamless and cost-effective data service access by leveraging direct network connections, optimizing performance and reducing operational expenses. The user device may authenticate with the data service provider using secure protocols, ensuring data integrity and privacy without proxy intervention. This solution is particularly useful in environments where minimizing latency and avoiding proxy-related costs are critical, such as in mobile or IoT applications where direct connectivity enhances responsiveness and reduces infrastructure complexity. The method may also include dynamic routing adjustments to maintain optimal performance under varying network conditions, further enhancing reliability and user experience.
16. The method of claim 14 , where one or more processors of the user device cause the application management program to provide the request associated with the data service to the device.
17. The method of claim 14 , where determining whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free comprises: providing the validation request to the server to cause the server to use the one or more service identifiers to execute a validation procedure, the validation procedure to determine whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free.
18. The method of claim 14 , where determining whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free comprises: obtaining user profile information for a user associated with the user device, comparing the user profile information to a toll-free data condition that allows toll-free data if the user profile information includes particular characteristics, and determining that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free based on comparing the user profile information to the toll-free data condition.
19. The method of claim 14 , where determining whether the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free comprises: determining that the user device provided consent to receive advertisements, and determining that the user device is eligible to use the data service toll-free based on determining that the user device provided consent to receive advertisements.
20. The method of claim 14 , where obtaining the IP address that is reserved for the data service comprises: providing a request for the IP address to a data source, the request for the IP address causing the data source to select the IP address from the data structure, the IP address being one of a set of IP addresses reserved for the data service, and receiving the IP address from the data source.
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February 23, 2021
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